Annulus packer



May 27, 1958 J. J. LANE ANNULUS PACKER Filed oct. so, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 JUN/ J. A/VE INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J. J. L ANE ANNULUs PACKER May 27, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed oct. 3o, 1953 @mi l y INVENTOR JOHN LANE BY y ATTORNEYS United States @atente-O "i ANNULUS PACKER .lohn I. Lane, Dalias, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, te The Guiberson Corporation, Dalias, Tex., a corporation of Texas Application October 30, 1953, Serial No. 389,407

11 Claims. (Cl. 166-204) This invention is concerned with well vpackers and is particularly concerned with apparatus for packing and sealing the annular space between conduits in a well.

The packer mechanisms and associated assembly,villus trated and disclosed in this application, have particular application in sealing and closing the annular space between a pipe and the walls of a well bore for the purpose of isolating a zone below the packer from a zone above the packer, so that a so-called open hole test may be made of the lower Zone to determine the contents of such zone.

However, these illustrations are not to be understood as limiting the use of the apparatus to such purpose. T he invention can obviously be employed to close the annular space between any two conduits for any purpose.

A common problem in the setting of rubberv packers about a pipe in an open hole has been the tendency and capacity of the rubber to llow excessively over the supporting shoe at the lower end of the rubber, thus resulting in an imperfect seal and the tearingand .chewing up of the rubber when the packer is being set and when it is in use and when it is pulled out of the hole.

lviy invention overcomes this undesirable result. By the use of my device, the packer can be run with maximum protective clearance, allowing for increasedexpansion of the rubber, and still prevent excessive extrusion of the rubber over the shoe.

A primary object of my invention is to provide `apparat-us for sealing the annular space between conduits wherein the sealing material is evenly distributed about the annular space when expanded into sealing engagement.

Anotherimportant object of my invention is to provide apparatus for sealing the annular space between conduits wherein the sealing material is prevented from flowing excessively past the packer shoe while such material is being expanded into sealing engagement.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus for sealing the annular space between conduits wherein greater clearance is provided between the sealing material and the outer conduit while the packer is being run into the conduit.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for sealing the annular space between conduits wherein greater expansion and travel of the sealing material is attained without causingV or permitting it to ow excessively past the packer shoe.

A specific object of the invention is to provide apparatus for expanding a rubber-like packerfelernent against cantilevered support, so as to evenly distribute the rubberlike material during its expansion and thereby center the material in an annular space between two conduits and prevent excessive liow of the rubber past thel support.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed specification and by referring to the drawings annexed hereto.

Examples of some suitable embodiments of the invention are set forth in the drawings, in which:

Fig. I is a partially sectinnalized semi-schematic elevational View of a typical annulus packing tool device, with associated mechanism, which has been lowered to the bottom of a well hole with the resilient elastic packing element normally relaxed to minimum diameter and suspended above a nest of packer basket units, contracted to minimum diameter, each separate basket unit having its individual lever arms initially inclined upwardly.

Fig. Il is a view similar to Fig. l, except that the resilient elastic packing element has been vertically compressed and laterally expanded and the lever arms of the basket have become laterally extended over the annulus, forcing the elastic material to become wedged against the wall 0i the hole; and Vthe valve disc in the top of the tool has been ruptured to allow communication between the drill pipe above the tool and the perforated tail-pipe below the tool.

Fig. III is a perspective view ot" a typical single basket unit having multiple ievered arms hingedly set in normally inclined position to provide a contracted basket of minimum diameter.

Fig. lV is a perspective view of the basket unit shown in Pig. lll, with the levered arms lowered and laterally extended to increase the radius of the support provided thereby.

Fig. V is a cross-sectioned elevational View of a single basket unit, contracted as shown in Fig. Ill. Y

Fig. Ji is a cross-sectioned elevational view of a single basket unit, extended as shown in Fig. IV.

Fig. Vil is a partially sectionalized elevational view of a typical packing assembly, showing the plastic packing element slideably carriedon the mandrel in relaxed position and suspended above a nest of contracted supporting basket units, having individual levered arms hinged upwardly above the packer base.

Fig. Vili is a fragmentary and partially sectionalized view .of the packer base and the lower end of the plastic packingr element which has become laterally expanded and supported by the levered arms of the nested baskets, shown in Fig. VH, such arms being now laterally extended to provide maximum support for the plastic mass.

Fig, iX is a modified form of supporting basket shown in partially sectionalized elevation with its levered arms contracted and held in upwardly inclined position by an elastic band, such arms being individually hinged to the cap of a modiiied packer base.

Fig. X is a View of the structure shown in Fig.- IX with the lever arms laterally extended-and so supporting the plastic packing element as to cause its expansion against the walls of a surrounding conduit. Y

Fig. Xl is a plan View of an extended supportino basket unit overhanging the packer base, the View being taken along line Xl-Xl of Fig. X.

Fig, XII is a partially sectionalized fragmentary elevational view of another modified form of the packing tool, in which is shown a single unit supporting basket, having overlapping lever arms hinged to a lugged ring encircling the mandrel, the arms being contracted and held in normally inclined position by an elastic band arranged about the region of their hinged ends.

Fig. XIH is a view or" the structure shown in Fig. Kil in which the overlapping arms oi the basket unit have been laterally extended by being cantilevered` beyond the packer base to afford greater support for the expanded plastic packing element.

Fig. )GV is a plan view showing the modified basket of Fig. XH with overlapping arms extended, the View being taken along line XIV- XIV of Fig. XIII.

Fig. XVl is a perspective view of an individual lever Y Vhave been lowered in the hole.'

arm of overlapping character, such as employed in making up the basket shown in'Fig. XH.

Fig. XVI is a schematic View showing opposing forces,

Y indicated by arrows, in which a normally relaxed resilient and elastic packing element is suspended above the contracted individual lever arms hinged radially. to a circular keeper resting on the packer base.

Fig. Xfli is a schematic view showing opposing forces, indicated by arrows, in which the down-thrust of pressure on the elastic packing element is resisted by the Lip-thrust of the partially lowered supporting lever arms which are in process of being laterally extended.

Fig. XVIII is a schematic view showing opposing forces, indicated by arrows, which have caused the elastic packing element to be shortened andV laterally expanded into sealing engagement with a conduit surrounding it, such element being supported by cantilevered arms which have now become laterally extended to furnish maximum support to the packing element.

The apparatusof this invention is ordinarily employed Vand the method of this invention is ordinarily practiced in packing off and sealing the annulus between a pipe lowered Vinto a well hole and the surrounding walls on the hole,

Yin such an advantageous manner as to allow the rapid descent of the packing tool and mechanism incident thereto Without damage to such tool and mechanism, and ,especially without damage to the setting basket or the lever farms thereof and especially without causing the premature extension outwardly of ysuch lever arms, even when the Y packing tool is raised before it is desired to set and expand its rubber-like sleeve.

' The packing assembly disclosedV herein may be run witha minimum diameter, and provides supporting means whereby the packer will be supported, centered, and evenly distributed, in the annular space between the packer support and the well bore. Y A,'The'cantilevered lateral projection of the multiple arms of the basket substantially bridges the annulus on ally radially extended basket nor around the packer shoe'by which the multiple-armed basket is supported.

Referring now tothe VVdrawings in some detail, th numeral indicates an open hole drilled'in the earth,

' ywith surrounding earth formations shown as at 11, and

the closed bottom of the hole indicated by the numeral 12.

Annulus 13 surrounds the well pipe and tools which Such well pipe 15, which Ymay be Vdrill stem or otherconduit, has an open bore therethrough. Connecting means 14 is provided for at-V taching well pipe 15 to valve-connector sub 16. Such means may take the form of companion threads, as shown on the members joined. Sub 15 affordsV the housing for a test-valve. Such valve is usually provided with frangible Vdisc k17,v."hich closes the bore of the well pipe. After the packer is properly centered and firmly set and the annulus is closed off, the disc 17 is ruptured, so Athat the formation immediately below the packer is there- Yby openedV to atmospheric pressure. Emanations from formations below the packer, such as oil, gas, or other fluid, are thus allowed to immediately flow into Vthe well pipe. Y Such pipe is usually provided with another, valve (not shown) which is then closedin order to hold theV entrapped welluids which have risen in the pipe. Upon removal of the vwell pip/e'from the' hole, such trapped fluids maybe taken, tested, sampled, and examined.

A tail pipe 20, provided with perforations 21, and

having a closed lower end 22, is usually arranged below the packer and maintained in free communication with the open bore 28 of packer mandrel 27.

Usually, tail pipe 20 comes to rest upon the bottom of the drilled well hole 10 before testing operations begin. When so rested, tail pipe 20 supports the packer and its associated mechanism. Y g Y r However, the packer can be operated and tests may be -made without tail pipe 20 restingon the bottom of the hole. n such event, suitable apparatus is provided to through which is in communicationV with the tailV pipe and with bore 28 of'mandrel 27. The latter may be placed in communication with the bore of well pipe 15 through the rupture of disc 17 or through the non-use of such-disc, if this be desired.

Shoe 24 is provided with an adjustable and removable cap 2S. This cap may be made in different diameters, as'may be selected for appropriateness in use with the variously designed supporting baskets Vof the tool, one form of which isbasket 6i). Other forms of the cap member for the packer shoe are shown in the drawings an discussed in this specification. Y 7

Collectively, shoe 24 and its cap, such as cap 25, constitute the packer base 23 of the packing tool.

Mandrel 27 is provided with suitable attachment meansk so that it may be connected to shoe 24. Such means` may take the form of the companion threads 29 shown in the drawings. By the useY of any such attachment, the

Y mandrel may be made to suspend the shoe, or to be supported thereby. Y

The mandrel is provided with an enlarged head 30,

having Vthereon a lateral shoulder 31, wherebytelescopic travel of the mandrel within travel couplingV 33 may be limited.

Initially, that is while the packing tool is being lowered in the hole, the mandrel may be pinned to travel coupling 33 through the use of one or more shear-pins 32, which pass through the wall or coupling 33`and into the head of the mandrel.y The shearV pins may be f -broken, after the'packer 'is set, by lowering `thereagainst the weight of Yvvell pipe 15. When these pins have been 'sheared, it is to be observed that the mandrel becomes f;

Vone member of a telescoping device madepup in part by the packer sleeve 50 and the travel vcoupling`33.V Such Vcoupling is connected to Vsub 16 at one end and' tofthe packer hanger head 40 at the other.

` (Suitable means is provided for making this connection,

such as the companion threads shown as atV 44.

Travel coupling 33 is provided with an internal' projection 34 of Vsubstantial nature at its upper end. The' travel stop shoulder 35 thereof fixes the farthest limit.

of travel between such coupling and the mandrel, 'these Vmembers being slideably related. Projection 34 is provided with shoulder 36, on which the Vperipheral'edge of frangible disc 17-may rest and be secured. Disc ledge 37, arranged within sub 16, cooperates with shoulder 35 to firmly hold and retain the disc.

Companion threads 39, on the outer face ofrcoupling 33 and the inner face of sub 16, allow these two mem-V bers to be made up ina tight andV leak-proof'joint, in

which the peripheraledge of the disc incidentally'serves assenso the tail pipe is resting on the bottom of the vwell or otherwise held so as to support packer shoe 24 and mandrel 27 carried thereby, such tl. "ee members being rigidly (although separably) connected, as shown in the drawings in Figs. I and l1 and in other views.

The relation between the last three named members, as a stationary unit on the one hand, and travel coupling 33, with its depending attachments, as a potentially slideable unit, before the shearing of pins 32, is shown in the somewhat schematic arrangement set forth in Fig. I.

The telescopic movement of travel coupling 33, and its depending attachments (members 4), 5.15, Sil and 55), after .shear pins 32 are severed, is indicated in Fig. Il of thedrawings.

While in relaxed condition, the packer clement Sil is protected from abrasive and undue contact with the walls of the well, as the packing' tool is being lowered into place for subsequent lateral expansion.

The guiding and protecting of the rubber-like packing element is further insured by the presence below it of shoe cap 25, which ordinarily has an external diameter equalling that of the relaxed packing element (and may be made slightly larger, the caps being adjustably replaceable in various sizes).

Cap is ordinarily of somewhat larger diameter than the packer shoe 24 on which it is adjustably carried; and both of these members should be beveled around their lower outer edges, as shown in the drawings, to make their guiding movement smoother and to prevent them from hanging on any projections in the well.

Further protection is afforded the resilient packer element 5d by the provision thereabove of a circular metallic member, such as split clamp 45, which is employed as a removable member for attaching packer hanger head lil to metallic bushing S5 carried in the end of plastic sleeve 50. This clamp is preferably made of a diameter at least as great as that of packer sleeve Si) when the latter is in relaxed condition, so that the clamp may perform the function of a protective guide member.

rhe exposed upper edge of hanger member 40 should be beveled, as at 49, so that it will not strike or hang against projections or formations in the well.

The clamp may take several forms, one of which is indicated by numeral in Figs. I and II, wherein it is shown to be constructed of two identical halves, with dat contacting faces. The halves are removably secured together by the use of appropriate fastening means, such as bolts 43.

Packer hanger head all is provided with external groove il and external band 42. Lip 46, turned inwardly of clamp 45, tits into hanger groove 41, and hanger band 42 lits into clamp groove 38, which is immediately below clamp lip 46.

Split clamp 45 may quite conveniently be made with identical ends. The construction of one such end has been described above. On the other end of the clamp, an internally turned lip 47 is indicated. Immediately next to lip 47, and partly dened thereby, is internal groove Sila of the clamp, comparable to groove 3S, on the opposite end of the clamp.

Shelf 43, provided by the upper end of hanger head 4?, suspends the mandrel. Enlarged mandrel head overhangs this shelf. Such head and shelf carries the weight of the mandrel, the packer shoe and the tail pipe, when the tool isbeing removed from the well.

The resilient elastic packing sleeve 50 is formed of rubber or rubber-like material or other plastic. Such sleeve is slideably carried on mandrel 27. The sleeve bushing 5'5 is removably attached, by the use of clamp 35, to packer hanger head 4i?, and the latter is secured to travel coupling 33, which responds to the down-thrust and up-lift of the well pipe, to which it may be secured directly, or through the use of valve sub 16, depending on the use to which the packing tool is to be put.

.lt is desirable that the `elastic packing sleeve 56 be CII beveled .at its lower end, asat 51. The bevel face thus provided insuressuitablecontact when the sleeve yis thrust downwardly against the fre-2 ends of the lever arms of the packer baskets, such-as baskets 60, 70 and 80. Such arrangement and construction minimizes the possibility or the arm ends biting into the rubber-like sleeve 56. The protection thus afforded the sleeve by its beveled end is always present, even though Vthe elevated ends of the arms have a contracted diameter little less than the diameter of the relaxed sleeve.

Eioofyated sliding sleeve 50 is capable of unusual lateral expansion when vertically compressed, and it attains uniform distribution throughout the annular space of the conduit into which its flow is guided and deflected by the resisting force of the lever arms when they are extended acres" the annulus just above the base of the packer tool.

At its extreme lower end, the plastic sleeve Si? should be provided with a flattened bottom, as at 52, which will spread outwardly across the upper face of the enlarged packer basket when opposed vertical forces are brought into operation against opposite ends of the sleeve.

Metal bushing provided at the top of packer sleeve 5G, is xedly attached to the plastic mass of the sleeve by being bonded therewith or molded thereabout. In fixing the bushing into the plasticmass, it is preferred that a relatively thin section 54 of the elastic material of the sleeve be arranged inwardly of bushing 55, so as to provide a continuous rubber-like inner face of sleeve 5G to be presented to the outer face of mandrel 27, for sealing engagement therewith when packing sleeve 50 is compressed axially and expanded laterally. Thereby a relatively greater surface of the mandrel is uniformly sealed off and rendered incapable of fluid leak thereabout.

Bushing 55 may take any one of several suitable forms. lt should be provided with suitable means for attaching it to hanger head 46. lt may be held fast in a coupling or clamp, of which split clamp 45 is an example.

For use with clamps of the character shown as at 45 in the drawings, the bushing 55 is provided with an externally overhanging rim 56, below Awhich is arranged an external recess 57. Such rim and recess of the bushing receive, respectively, a complementary clamp groove 33a and a complementary clamp lip 47, both of which are arranged around the inner face of each duplicate half of clamp 4S.

It is advisable that a deformed projection 58 of bushing 55 be made to extend into and be bonded with the plastic material of sleeve 50. Suitable deformations 59, in projection 5S of the bushing, may take the form of ribs, and/or grooves and/or perforations, as indicated somewhat schematically in the drawings.

The purposes and function of the packer baskets may be achieved and served with basket structures and asemblies having various forms. Different designs, modications and variations in suitable basket units and Vassemblies have bee-n indicated in the drawings. For instance, one form of suitable levered basket units is shown as at di). Such levered units are capable of being introduced in relaxed position into the bore of a conduit and of being later extended laterally therein to provide cantilevered bridging of the annulus. Several views of this type of basket are shown in Figs. I to VlIl, inclusive.

Like purposes and results are accomplished through the use of a basket of quite different design, such as that shown as at 8G. Details of its Construction are set forth in Figs. IX, X and Xl.

A diderent basket of simple and advantageous design and construction, which is capable of performing the functions desired, is shown in the drawings as at 70. Some details of the levered arms and of other elements of such basket are set forth in Figs. Xll to XV, inclusive.

A further satisfactory form of basket assembly ,is indicated in Figs. XVI to XVIII, inclusive, as at 6l.V

All mechanisms and apparatus comprising basket structures are introduced into the conduit bore while they are so contracted that the free ends of the levered arms of the basket substantially defineV an approximate circle of predetermined minimum external diameter, which diameter is substantially less than the approximately circular pattern later established by the basket'when the free ends of the arms thereof are lowered and laterally extended across Vthe annulus to provide a strong cantilevered bridge capable. of resisting and sustaining the relatively great pressure exerted thereagainst by the resilient packing sleeve 50 being driven downwardly and spread outwardly' Yacross the cantilevered bridge structure until the thus deformed sleeve is forced into wedging engagement with the inside walls of the outer conduit, while at the same time becoming pressed tightlyagainst the outer walls of Vthe inner conduit, thus completely plugging and sealing the annulus against Huid flow.

The relation between the initially contracted basket and the normally relaxed elastic packing sleeve 50 is such that the external diameter of the relaxed sleeve is greater thanthat of the contracted basket. The latter is thereby fully protected against damage, distortion and premature spreading, when lifted and/or lowered in the well, preparatory to the setting and expanding of the packer, as aforesaid.

The resilient packer sleeve 50 is in turn-protected against damageY while being lowered into the well by reason of the protective shield or cover afforded by the upwardly inclined plates or arms of the baskets, shown in Figs. VII, IX and XII, in thatV rocks, large well cut- Vtings and other rough abrasive well refuse frequently encountered in the well iluid is not permitted to flowV orv a central ring of the basket, or to other retainer ele-V arms are lowered kto horizontal position. Once flattened Y condition.

The circular or centrally arranged retaining rings or members (66, 77 and 8917, as 'thecase may be) to which the innerends Vot lever arms are hingedly axed, are

supported, in the case of each basket assembly shown, by

a packer shoe, which is carried by'the inner conduit. This shoe may be provided with an integrally made cap section thereof. Such a shoe cap, in whatever way provided, aiords further control and support of thelaterally Y extended basket. However, it is desirable thatthe shoe cap be removably aixed to the upper end of the shoe, as a separate member of the shoe assembly. VSuch arrangement and construction permits the size, width and strength of the cap to be easily Vchanged and tted to needs and conditions which maybe met in bridging annular areas having different diameters. Interchangeable shoe caps permit the use of differenttypes of baskets, as may be best titted tol serve the requirements of the packing job to be done. l Y

All baskets of the types contemplated in this invention are provided with hinged lever arms, khaving theirv outer or free ends initially elevated and temporarily so Y maintained.

All baskets open upwardly, and the rubber material of the packer sleeve 50 initially flows intoV the vacant space in the open baskets, and thence flows outwardly across basket arms which have been lowered land attened to a substantially horizontal plane by the down` thrusting force of the descending packer sleeve which is made to slide down around mandrel 27, until the opposing force and resistanceof the outwardlyV projected ments, disposed inwardly of the hinge region of the basket, and lying outwardly of the inner conduit 27,

which extends through the basket, and which partly delines theannular space to be closed ott by the packing tool.

Furthermore, all forms of the baskets are provided with suitable temporary restraining means, whereby the free endsV of the basket levers may be initially elevated and Vcontracted within a relatively narrow diameter, and whereby,` they may be maintained in such contracted condition during the` entire time that the complete packing tool is being lowered and tinally stationed in a well, at the place where packing operations areto Ybe carried out. Such temporary restraining-means may take vari'- ous forms, as indicated in the drawings of the several diierent baskets shown. However, all such temporary restraining means permit the flattening out of the Ylever arms of the basket-like structure Vwhen the rubber-like packing elementis thrust thereinto and thereagainst.Y l

The restraint otered by such temporary means is overcome and entirely destroyed Vwhen the basket arms are being flattened out by the movement of the rubbery mass of sleeve downwardly into the basket and outwardly across its arms. Y

The individual basket units are madeV ofrsuch material, and they are so constructed, that the lever arms thereof are initially inclined upwardly and'maintain their Vcontracted condition until superior force changes their positionby bending them downwardly Vat theirV hinge regions. However, once the basket arms are flattened out, they remain insuch flattened position, and they are Ywithdrawn from the well in such position.

The two forms of temporaryV restraining bands or rings, shown" as at 79 and S5, are expendable. They serve no purpose afterrthe arms of basket units 70 and S1) have .been flattened out by pressureY of the rubber sleeve 50 therea'gainst. In fact, these temporary bands or rings become cut, broken or otherwise destroyed when the lever cantilevered arms of a attened basket cause lateral flow of the mass of rubber packing material to seal Ythe annulus above the cantilevered bridge formed by the Y mechanism described.

The attened and outwardly projected arms of lthe packer baskets do not dig into the'earth formations which comprise Vthe outer conduit when my packing toolV is used in drill stem tests, such radially extended arms being of no greater diameter than the bored hole. Theretore they are easily withdrawn from the hole when there is no longer any need to maintain` packing in the well annulus. The pressure above the packing tool isV then simply eleased, and the Vpacking element 50 is allowed to relax, and the entire tool and its associated mechanism'is drawn up and vout of the well easily andwithout lhanging up. Y 7

A nest of typical baskets for controlling the movement of the resilient packing element when it is subjected to deforming forces as shown as at 60, in Figs. I to VIH, inclusive; Such a nest is made up of a number yof single basket units 65, placed within and above like elements until the nest has been built up to desired size and strength. Selective basket strength is thus permitted.

The maximumV number of individual basket unitsre-y free ends et the lever arms thereoiinto a substantially horizontal position, itVwil-l be found thatthe Vertical height of the tiattened nest Vis approximately equal. to rthe width ot the annulus bridged thereby. That does not mean that an operator may not make up a nest having more than the number of individual basket units thus indicated.y However, any Vgreater number of such units 'will he unnecessary to resist the loadsand thrust which laterally extend the lever arms in placing, setting, .and maintaining the packer to sealoif the annulus.

Also, it is to be noted, the use of any greaternumber of individual units than that indicated immediately above as 'being suicient, will not increase the scope of lateral extension possible inV the levered arms. Therefore, such build-up will not produce a nest which will extend into the earth formations.

Each of the multiple levered arms@ is hingedly held by the inner connector-ring de of basket unit 65. Such ring has a central hole 57, for litting it around mandrel 27. The hinge section is shown as at 58, lying between ring 66 and the extensible body of arm 69.

lt is desirable that each arm 69, of basket. members of the type shown as at unit 65, be made with a slight concavity or trough along its face, when seen from above. This will give added strength to each individual levered arm so made. The ent-ire arm will thenrem'ain straight and move as a non-liem'ng unit about itshinge, thus allowing an even distribution of rubber over each arm of the unit.

Multiple lever arms 69 are initially inclined so as to encompass a substantially frustro-conical form having dened base areas, and the arms are capable of being so laterally extended as to define a plane area greater in extent than that ot' the larger of the two bases initiallj.I formed.

The spaces or slots iii between the individual arms 69, or' each basket unit e5, are narrow and quite limited in width, even when all arms are lowered to form a ilat cantilevered bridge.

yIt is to be noted that such narrow slots, indicated. by the numeraleli, are not sufliciently wide to permit Iany excessive or damaging amount of rubber material of the resilient packer sleeve Si) to flow therethrough.

On the other hand, the radially disposed slots 54, of `a flattened basket unit 65, such as shown in Fig. lV, considering it to 'be the uppermost basket unit in the nest, will edectively guide the outward ow of the mass of the rubber material of sleeve 50. The rubbery material of this mass tends to ow where least opposed, and will flow outwardly in increasing quantities as doWr'- thrusting force from above increases against resilient sleeve 56 However, it is to be borne in mind that aperturesl 64 mustat all times be arranged, constructed and maintained within such limits of width that no undue amount of vrubber material may be permitted to ilow ltherein and therealong. It' such admonition beobserved, there. will be no damage to the rubber material whatsoever, and the relatively small quantity of auch material which shall have flowed into such apertures will return therefrom when pressure on sleeve Sil has been released, preparatory to removing the packer tool from the well.

Force is initially'exerted on the Varms bythe downwardly descending Vplastic material of sleeve Si) striking them lirst near the outer or free ends of the arms, Whereoy they are easily lowered by the exertion thereagainst of relatively' little force in the process of pressing them down to a substantially horizontal plane. This Vis so-because of the lever principle involved, it being noted that the inner ends of the arms are hingedly fixed.

Narrow apertures 64 should be uniformly and evenly distributed about each unit 65. Such arrangement and construction will aid in the uniform distribution ofthe rubbery mass of sleeve Sil over the upper face of the topmost basket member 65 of nest 60.

When all apertures 64, of basket units 65, are made equally narrow, then no particular unit need be selected to be the topmost, or guide unit, of nest 60.

Uniform distribution of the mass of the rubber, above the face of the uppermost basket in the nest 66, is readily initiated, during its early stages, by the downward movement of sleeve S9, into the vacant space existing below the flattened bottom 52, of sleeve 50 in normally 'relaxed l vided with overlap part 72 and underlap part 73.

ld condition..v Such space liesabove theupper face of ring 55 of the uppermost basket in the nest, when the-downwardimovement of the sleeve Fs begun.

Whenthe downward thrust of sleeve 50 is rst exert- .ted against the topmost basket .of nest 6%, it is to be observed, the `beveled edge Si, of sleeve Sd, presents the .area ofrlrst contact .between sleeve an-d basket.

Thereafter, a slight liow of rubber material soon creates a series of .small corrugations externallyof the beveled .face 51, each such corrugation flowing slightly into an aperture di. This is followed by a flow from sleeve bottom S0, into. the small spaces 64, and outwardly therealong .andythereaboua until the cantilevered bridge is covered..xtfithV rubber `material and the latterA becomes packedtightly against the walls of the annulus above the bridge.

inevitably, such initial dowing, from the base of sleeve 59;-, leads :to a tendency on the part of the entire wall of sleevell toilow outwardly and .against the walls of the .annulus, .as force from above thrusts this body downwardly.

Arms. 69. are lowered by the same force which spreads the..rnbber .material into. engagement with the surrounding conduit.

In baskets of the type shown as at 65, it is considered advisable, when placing individual baskets Vin forming a nest, .to .have .the rst few baskets at the top of the nest .(say about three, depending on the thickness of the material) So-.arranged `that .their respective apertures 64 are placedxin line, oneabove the other. This will furnish a series of radial grooves of slightly greater depth than would beprovided if all individuati ,basket units were staggered in arrangement. The slightly deepened grooves thus formed would provide betterguides for the initial outward ilow of the plastic material of sleeve 59 than would be provided Vby grooves having only a depth equalxto .one thickness of the material.

Amodiiied form of basket, shown as at 7d in Fig. XH, may be made with overlapping arms 7l, which are pro- Such construction allows for uncommonly strong lever arms. The thickened central portion, lying between the overlappingsections Vof the arm, provides an element of increased strength inthis specially designed-lever arm.

Projecting inwardly from the central part of each lever arm 71 is an ear 74, having a hole 75 arranged through it laterally, to receive hinge pin 76. This arrangement provides one form of suitable construction for hingedly attaching the several lever arms 71 to modilied central ring 77, which is provided with a central hole therethrough so that such ring may be made to encircle mandrel 27.

Central ring 77 has outwardly projecting therefrom a series of spaced attachment lugs 78. Each such lug is provided with a hole or groove therein to receive and hold hinge -pin 76.

Lying aboutthe hinged ends of overlapping arms 71 isl a resilient ring 79, which may be made -of elastic material so as to thereby urge and temporarily maintain the elevation or' the free ends of the lever arms.

However, elastic ring 79 is so yieldable as to allow its expansion to permit the downward-and outward movement ofthe free ends of the lever arms upon the thrusting thereagainst of the free end of the suspended resilient packing sleeve 5), in the process of setting the packing tool and expanding the packer sleeve.

When modified basket 7@ has been fully expanded and flattened, as shown in Fig. VXlV, it will be noted Vthat relatively-narrowgrooves appear radially across the upper face of the basket. rIhe compressed rubber of the bottom of sleeve Sil flows outwardly over this grooved face, becoming keyed in equal distribution therearound.

When basket 'is attened to cantilevered bridging position in setting the packer, the yieldable temporary 11 Y ring 79 is broken, and it is usually lost, being'of no further use. Y Y Y' Y' Another modified form of basketV is shown as at 80, and in Figs. IX, X and XI. It is provided with a multiplicity of ribbed plate lever arms 81, each such arm beingY individually hinged in assembling basket 80.

A at plate member 82 provides the upper surface of yarm 8,1.'V It isrstrengthened and supported by rib 83, which'is arranged below the 'plateand extended inwardly to provide the attachment end for hinging the levered arm; Hinge studs 86 are carried by rib 8l, being laterally extended from the attachment end of such arm. The projecting studs 86 are held in'recesses 87, which are provided Vin the underface ofan inward projection of the shoe cap 89 to receive such studs.Y This construction is detailed in the drawings.

Special shoecap'89 is made integral with its downwardly extending Vskirt' Y88. The cap so formed is disposed about ,the top ofV shoeV 24, to which itrmay be removably .attached by any suitable means, as by pins or machine screws or by companion threads, the latter being shown as the attachment means in Figures IX and X. Special'member 89 is a turreted cap,employed in assembling Yand maintaining the modiied packer basket The topmost part of cap 89 is provided with a series of slots 89a, radially extending in spaced relation across its upper face, leaving therebetween the islands 89h.

Such islands carry hinge recesses 87, into which hinge n studs 86 are ttedV from below, before Vspecial cap 89 is placed around mandrel 27. Y Y

Each rib S3 is provided with a notch 84, on its underside. Into'this notch is iitted an'elastic retaining band Y 8S, which may take the form of an endless coil spring or any other suitable elastic member. Member 85 initially holds the freeends of lever arms 81 in an upwardly inclined position. This is the position in which they are placed and maintained while the packing tool is being lowered into the well.

It is to be noted that modified basket 80 presents a series of narrow radial grooves on its upperfface when Y attened out.

Y When basket S0 is flattened to form the' cantilevered annulusV bridge in `setting the packer, the yieldable temporary band 85 becomes broken and lost, and is of no further use. 1

It is of importance to understandthat, whatever the form of packer .basket used, there are a plurality of hinged varms which are cantilevered outwardly to overhang the annulus beyond the peripheral face of the packer base (made up of packer shoe and its cap). The numeral 90 has been employed in some of the drawingsto indicate ,the region of this outwardly overhanging cantilevered ex- Y Ytension of the arms, which are a necessary part of a packer basket. Such extension isaccomplished by the lowering of the free ends of levered arms in response to force exerted thereagainst. Y

It is in region 9i?, of the thusextended'support as- Y serted by the projected arms, that the annulus surround- 'ing'conduin Y YThe operation of bridging the annulus'with a cantilevered resisting force is a pre-requisite to the spreading of the resilient packer element outwardly: e

' The-downthrust of theresilient packer element is initi-V ated bythe lowering thereagainst of the weight of well pipe l5, together with the weight of the members of Ythe tool which are connectively arranged betweenthe end Vof the well pipeand .thevheadof the packer, they all Vbeingsuspended by the well pipe. Y Y

Vweight of well huid in theY hole above the packing tool whenever the packing element is expanded into contact with the walls of theV surrounding conduit, whether it beY the wall of an openV hole of a drilled Well, or the wall of well casing or other pipe.

Opposing forces, thus indicated, are-diagrammatically shown in Figs. XVI, XVII and XV Ill, wherein the latter gure shows these opposing forces to have finally come to rest, upon the complete sealing of the annulus through the operation of the method and use of the apparatus herein disclosed. Y Y

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. Ina packer assembly, a mandrel; an `elastic sleeve slideably disposed on the mandrel; a supporting base carried by the mandrel said base having a horizontal upper face thereon; a plurality of levered arms carried about the mandrel and having a supporting ring portion resting on saidl base, said arms beinginitially inclined and adapted to support the said elastic sleeve; and means to force said elastic sleeve against the arms to lower and extend them outwardly to a position of horizontal support on the base; the extended arms being greater in diameter than the base whereby the arms extend beyond the base to providea cantilever support for the elastic sleeve.

2.V A packer assembly for sealing an annular space be-Y tween twok conduits comprising, a mandrel adapted to be Y supported by the inner conduit; an elastic sleeve slideably disposed on the mandrel; a supporting .base carried by the mandrel said base having ahorizontal upper face thereon; aplnralityof nested basket-like members carried about the mandrel and resting on said base,said basket-like members having horizontalcentral ring portions with arms extending upwardly therefrom, the arms having free ends arranged to engage the sleeve member,

and said arms being bendable arcuately downwardly and outwardly in response to downthrusting force applied to the elastic sleeve to a position of horizontal support on the base, the extendedarms being greater in diameter than the base whereby the arms extend beyond the base and provide a cantilever support for the sleeve.

3. In aV well packer, amandrel; a shoe carried by they .lower end ofthe mandrel forming a horizontalbase; a

nest of basket-like members disposed about the mandrel, each having Va plurality'lof arms spaced thereabout and initially extending upwardly, vthe base of said nest of baskets resting upon the shoe; an elastic sleeve slideably carried about the mandrel, the lower end of said sleeve being, arranged to engage the up-raised arms of the uppermost basket member; and means at the upper end of the mandrelfor suspending it on a well pipe; said arms being bendable arcuately downwardly and outwardly in response `to downthrusting force applied to the elastic sleeve to a positionof horizontal support on the base; ,the extended arms being greater inv diameter than'the base whereby the'armsrextend beyond the base and provide a cantilever support forlthe elastic sleeve.'-

. 4. Infa packer assembly, a mandrel; an elastic sleeve Vslideably y'disposed Von theV mandrel; a supporting base carried by the mandrel; a plurality of levered arms car: ried about the mandrel and having .a supportingiring portion resting on said base, said arms beinginitially inclined andada'pted to support the sleeve; saidY sleeveY having a attened end face with a beveled surface at the ranged and adapted to engagedthe outer ends of the arms,

vand means to force said elastic sleeve against the arms to` lower and extend them outwardly to a positionv of sup-V porton the base. u Y Y 5. In a packer assembly for closing the annulus between a well bore and a pipe extending into the well.

bore, a mandrel adapted to be carried by the pipe; an elastic packing sleeve slideably carried by the mandrel; a supporting shoulder carried by the mandrel said bas: having a horizontal upper face thereon; a plurality of nested basket-like members carried about the mandrel and supported on said shoulder, each such basket-like member having a plurality ci initially 11p-raised arms spaced thereabout; the lower end of the elastic sleeve being formed so that the outer edge thereof will initially engage the outer ends of the arms of t e top-most baslret member; and means for applying sufiieient force to the upper end of the sleeve to lower the arms in the annnlus to substantially horizontal position to a position of support on the base and to expand the sleeve against the lowered arms to close the annulus the lowered arms being greater in diameter than the base to thereby provide a cantilever support for the expanded sleeve.

6. The combination called for in claim wherein tne diameter of the lowered arms are slightly less in diameter than the well bore.

7. A packer assembly for closing the annulus between a Well bore and a pipe extending into the well bore comprising, a mandrel carried by the pipe; an elastic packing sleeve slideably carried by the mandrel; a supporting shoulder carried by the lower end or the mandrel said shoulder having a horizonal face thereon; a basketlike member carried about the mandrel and supported on said shoulder, the said basket-like member having initially 11p-raised arms spaced thereabout; the lower end of the elastic sleeve being arranged to engage the outer ends of the arms, and means to apply force to the elastic sleeve sufficient to lower the arms in the annulus to substantially horizontal position to a position of support on the base and sullcient to expand the rubber against the lowered arms to ll the annulus; the expanded arms being larger in diameter than the shoulder to thereby provide a cantilever support for the sleeve.

8. ln a packer tool for closing the annulus between two conduits, one within the other, a slideabie mandrel; a telescopic tubular member carrying the mandrel; an elongated elastic packing sleeve slideably arranged about the mandrel and dependingly carried by the telescopic member; a supporting base carried by the mandrel said base having a horizontal upper face thereon; a ring surrounding the mandrel and supported by the base; a plurality of radially disposed cantilever arms attached to the ring, the free ends of the arms being initially disposed upwardly from the ring and adapted to be initially contacted by the outer part of the lower end of the sleeve when the latter is moved by downthrusting force; and the arms being of sufficient length to extend horizontally beyond the base when lowered thereagainst and provide a cantilevered bridge substantially spanning the annulus when attened by the force of the descending sleeve.

9. in a packer assembly, a mandrel; an elastic sleeve slideably arranged about the mandrel; a supporting base carried by the mandrel said base having a horizontal upper face thereon; a plurality o'f radially disposed arms arranged about the mandrel below the sleeve and supported by the base, said arms being initially inclined upwardly; and the sleeve being arranged to slide downwardly and lower the arms by engaging them to a position of horizontal support on the base, the base being less in diameter than the lowered arms to provide a cantilever support for the elastic sleeve.

10. ln a packer assembly, a mandrel; an elastic sleeve slidably disposed on the mandrel; a supporting base carried by the mandrel; a plurality of levered arms carried about the mandrel and having a supporting ring portion resting on said base, said arms being initially inclined and adapted to support the sleeve; said sleeve having an end face so formed that the outer edge thereof initially engages the outer ends or" the inclined arms; and means to force said elastic sleeve against the arms to lower and extend them outwardly to a position of support on the base.

11. In a packer assembly for closing the annular space between a well pipe and a well bore, a mandrel; an elastic sleeve slidably arranged about the manderl; a supporting base carried by the mandrel; a plurality of radially disposed arms arranged about the mandrel below the sleeve and supported by the base, said arms being initially inclined upwardly and the sleeve being arranged to slide downwardly and lower the arms by engaging them to a position of horizontal support on the base, the base being less in diameter than the lowered arms and the lowered arms being less in diameter than the well bore to provide a cantilever support for the packer.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,549,168 Townsend Aug. 11, 1925 2,171,049 Simmons Aug. 29, 1939 2,390,372 Johnston et al. Dec. 4, 1945 2,618,344 Turechek et al Nov. 18, 1952 2,704,581 Potts Mar. 22, 1955 2,734,582 Bagnell Feb. 14, 1956 2,738,013 Lynes Mar. 13, 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0E CORRECTION Patent No., 2,836,252 May 27, 1958 Column 13, lines 5, 16, 18, and 36, for "basen, in each instance, read shoulder Signed and sealed Johis 12th day of August 1958,

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H, AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Attestng Ofcer Commissione of Patents 

